A Man Reaps What He Sows

The Galatians 6 passage that describes the reap what you sow principle is laden when references to irresponsibility and responsibility. Paul states in Galatians 6:3 (NKJV): “For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.” When you play the comparison game, it is easy to deceive yourself. Why? Because if your doing better or worse than others, you run the risk of deceiving yourself into irresponsibility. You have to hold yourself to your own standard, as we shall see.

Again, Andy Stanley says, “You see, as long as you are comparing yourself to others, you will make excuses for yourself; when you begin to compare yourself to yourself, you will make progress. It’s only when you tune out everyone else’s 'status' in life that you can begin to reach your own potential and take on your own God-given responsibility.”

Then, in verse 5 (NIV), Paul clearly says: “for each one should carry their own load.” We each have family responsibilities, community responsibilities, financial responsibilities, and opportunities for which we are each responsible. He is encouraging us to not compare our opportunities with someone else's opportunities, but be responsible with our own responsibilities...our own load. 

Then verse 7 gives us the principle, along with a warning, “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.”  When you reap the consequences of shirked responsibility, you may be able to convince other people that you are not to blame. But God knows! If you are irresponsible, if you are not willing to carry your own load, you are not going to get by with it.

Does God forgive? Absolutely. Does He bless? For sure. But never make the mistake of thinking that forgiveness removes the consequences of irresponsibility. More about that...tomorrow.